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October 18, 2016

I love talking to people. Talking in general, about everything and almost anything! Their interests, their likes and dislikes, their dreams, you name it. That's why I thought of creating this new segment on my blog where in my closest friends, family, and students would have to share what "They Say" about specific topics close to my heart!

For our first episode of "They Say", let us know what their dream destinations are. We all dreamt of being somewhere at some place, having a beautiful stroll with your loved one or a delicious exotic dinner with your amazing friends. It is something that makes me stand up with excitement whenever I ask this to myself or even whenever a friend opens up about this topic.

But what makes a destination something you dream about? Does it have to be far, or just a bike ride away from where you are at. I asked some of my closest friends from here in the Philippines and across the globe, "Where is your dream destination and Why?". Here are their awesome answers:

Adrian A

Warsaw, Poland

"I actually don't have a specific place in mind. My dream destination is somewhere where I would be able to meet my best friends, especially my little bro. It can be anywhere in the world - my backyard, Italy, or Antarctica"

Carlos VLos Angeles, USA"Many places exist to be explored in this world. If I have to choose which is my ultimate destination, I must say the city of Rome. This is where the seat of power of the greatest empire ever existed. Great emperors walked at that place. I want to set my feet there also. I want to see what they saw there, It might be a very tiny resemblance of the past, but at least there is something!"

Dianne C

Cavite, Philippines

"My ultimate dream destination is Greece, because I am so fascinated by its beauty. What adds up most to my dream of going there is when I watched the movie Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants"

Pranab M

Mumbai, India

"My dream destination is Slovenia. I want to visit with my wife. It's so green. Ljubljana, Bled, Pilar, Kranjskagora, Triglav National Park, Postojna Caves are on the list. I feel sLOVEnia!"

Lea Katrina B

Mangaf, Kuwait

"To travel anywhere around the world will be my dream destination. Every place for me is a new venture, a different opportunity to experience what is life on the other sides of the world. Seeking new things, experiencing new cultures, and meeting new people is life indeed for me. And given the opportunity to travel the world, I would do so, for what we have now is a once in a lifetime experience."

Stephan S

Hamburg, Germany

"A Fjord in Norway, where I can live in silence and peace. With distance to other people but with comfort of modern civilisation. For me, its silence is impressive and good. It makes you slow and brings you back to nature. It is so good to hear birds sing, raindrops fall, wind in the trees, waves at the beach"

Stevenson Q

Cavite, Philippines

"My dream destination is somewhere were the four seasons are in its most spectacular display. Growing up in the tropics, we only have summer, summer, rain, and summer throughout the year so the seasons are something that really fascinates me."

That wraps up our first episode of "They Say". It was so much fun to ask my dear friends and family for their dream destinations and I hope and pray that the Lord will grant them their amazing travel adventures soon! Special thanks to my dear friends Adrian, Pranab, Stephan, my classmates Dianne and Lea, and to my cousin Carlos for their time. This article will not be possible without them.

Wishing you all the great things and I can't wait for you to join us on the next episode of "They Say" soon! How about you? What's your dream destination? Share it with us by posting a comment below!

Never Stop Asking!

Steve

THEY SAY is a segment on my blog which features a little survey where I asked a few of my friends and readers about a certain subject. A Topic is started and they would respond in the way it applies to their lives and experiences.

September 6, 2016

It's been a couple of years when I asked my cousin Judy to take me to Silang to buy some plants for a mini garden project. Well for those who know me, I have a lot of hobbies which I tend to juggle each time, but guilty as I am, my interest levels fall out whenever I think of new hobbies. A good thing though is that it may take time but I always get my interest back with each of them, and of it is gardening.

My Bromeliad plants

I don't have a green thumb but I love plants and flowers! So I asked my brother Erson, who is a great plant grower (he loves plants and plants love him too) for advise on which plants I should take care with minimal supervision and thus he suggested Bromeliads. These kind of plants will just grow and grow and make new pups, even out of neglect. But of course I will not neglect them on purpose but due to my busy schedules at work, I tend to do so.

My bromeliads rehabilitated from neglect

But now as I try to look for things to do on my free times, I realise they are just upstairs on the rooftop and waiting for some caring so last week I decided to repot some of them and earlier, I repotted more and now they look alive again (though some had a little munching from our dogs).

I have a few variety, well three to be exact as of now. I don't really know what kind or name these variety this have but here they are. If you guys know their names, kindly help me by posting on the comments section, it will be much appreciated.

Beautifully colored leaves and spiky ends

This one is truly what's left of it's kind. Hope it grows stronger

I have read that this one is called the blushing variety.

I am excited that there is just another hobby I can revive, and plants to love and take good care of. Wish me luck that this will be a serious hobby this time for I have always wanted to beautify and rehabilitate our old rooftop with beautiful mini gardens on all its corners.

July 25, 2016

Just at the beginning of July, me and my High School buddies went to the beautiful island of Cebu and visited the southernmost part of the island. Here are a few of my favorite shots taken during our unforgettable adventure:

March 25, 2016

Earlier this month, my Student Rose Ann Arogante tagged me on a post on Facebook, nominating me to a Seven Days of Nature Photo Challenge. Each Day, you post a photo about Nature, preferably a photo you took, and then nominating another person, one for each day, to do the same challenge.

Here are the Seven Photos I shared during the course of the seven day challenge (March 18-24, 2016) I chose pictures from my old travels here and abroad and made little quotes about the picture with respect to Nature.

March 21, 2016

The Caru-Caruhan de Malabon is the first ever Caru-Caruhan Procession of the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in the City of General Trias held last Palm Sunday, March 20th. Inspired by the Caru-Caruhan de Regidor, in the town of Binangonan in the province of Rizal, it is a procession of Miniature Holy Week images that lived during the time of Jesus and His passion.

Saint Longinus

With the help of my Brother, Kuya Wilson, I was blessed to have taken care of the Statue of San Longino or Saint Longinus. He is a Saint who was a Blind Roman Soldier that is said to have pierced the fifth wound of Christ on the side of his waist. When Jesus' blood came out, some of it went to Longinus's eye and he was said to be healed. Right then and then he declared Jesus as God and lived through him until he died a Martyr.

Aside from my Saint Longinus, my Brother also takes care of the images of Saint Mary Magdalene and the Señor dela Paciencia wherein Jesus is depicted as wounded and humiliated. All three of our saints are all part of the very first Caru-Caruhan de Malabon 2016. A big thanks to Kuya E-Jay and his ever amazing team for the beautiful floral arrangements and the clothing of the saints and also to Kuya Louie and Kuya Benson for helping us make the floats of the saints.

My friend Myrcel with Saint Longinus

At 7 pm, the saints are all lined up in front of the church and we are ready to walk around the poblacion area. My Friend Myrcel was the only one who came for me and San Longino on his very first procession and I truly appreciate it so much! Thank you Myrcel! Aside from Myrcel, I also saw my friend Charlotte and his son, my Godson, Charles. And just before the walk started, a young man from Brgy. Corregidor went with us and accompanied me as we pull the float of Saint Longinus. He was very nice and kind and we share the same name, Steven.

My Friend Charlotte and her son Charles

My new friend Steven, we have the same name

So Myrcel, I , and Steven are on the line, fifth of the thirteen the saints who were part of the procession. Before we started walking, people went close to the saints to ask for blessing and also to take pictures of the saints that are beautifully dressed and lit. The procession was led by the musical accompaniment by Santa Cecilia Band, and in order of precedence, here are the Saints that were part of the First Ever Caru-Caruhan de Malabon 2016.

Señor dela Paciencia (Kakapus-kapos) - Bro. Wilson Que

Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno - Pinagtipunan Pastoral Council

San Andres Apostol - Rev. Fr. Jun Perez

Santa Veronica - Bro. Jeth Rommel Elca

San Longino - Bro. Stevenson Que

The image of San Longino de Malabon is inspired by Sir Christian Layug's San Longino de Marikina. Aside form Saint Longinus's amazing story of hope and renewal, I really wanted to have my image of Saint Longinus because of the beautiful image of Sir Christian's San Longino. Thank you so much for the inspiration Sir Christian! I really hope I can see Gino one of these days.

Santa Maria de Chipre - Bro. Aeron Daluraya

Santa Mari Jacobe - Bro. Franz Pulido

Santa Marta - Bro. Dennis Victa

San Nicodemo - Bro. Ameer Olimpo

Santa Maria Magdalena - Bro. Wilson Que

San Juan Evangelista - Bro. Ameer Olimpo

Santo Sepulcro - Bro. Erick John Tiglao

Virgen Dolorosa - Bro. Erick John Tiglao

After the procession, the images lined up in front of the church and recieved blessing from our priest Rev. Fr. Gil Villas.

Rev. Fr. Gil Villas blessing San Longino

It was very beautiful to see the images and this was the time I took the individual photos of the images. After I said my goodbyes to Myrcel and Steven and all the people at the procession, we walked our way home together with the three saints.

San Longino de Malabon

My brother Kuya Wilson with Santa Maria Magdalena

Me and San Longino de Malabon

My Father and the Saints

It was a beautiful event and truly historical for this is the very first time the Caru-Caruhan de Malabon was held not just the first in our City but the First in our Province. Thank you so much to all the organizers led by Bro. Erick John Tiglao and also to my brother Wilson Que for if not for him, I would not have had San Longino and I will not be part of this memorable event.

Now we are all excited and looking forward for the bigger and brighter Caru-Caruhan de Malabon 2017 next year. But of course, before that comes, the Holy week has officially begun as of now that Palm Sunday is over.